Who's Larry and why is he so happy?
I really don't know but when you are very happy, we say as happy as Larry!
One of the happiest Larry's I know is Larry Hagman who played the evil JR Ewing in the hit TV series Dallas in 80's.
It was essential viewing at the time and told the story of everyday oil barons - great fun!
Here's a clip.
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Get on like a house on fire
Dedicated to Jason
If you get on like a house on fire, you might think that's a fiery, angry relationship but in fact, it's exactly the opposite.
This idiom means you get on really well with someone.
From the minute they met,, they got on like a house on fire!
Just in case they get on too well and do actually set the house on fire, here's a great video with text about being a fireman - or as they call them in the US, fire fighter.
If you get on like a house on fire, you might think that's a fiery, angry relationship but in fact, it's exactly the opposite.
This idiom means you get on really well with someone.
From the minute they met,, they got on like a house on fire!
Just in case they get on too well and do actually set the house on fire, here's a great video with text about being a fireman - or as they call them in the US, fire fighter.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Pay lip service
(Dedicated to Asia)
Here's a strange one!
When you pay lip service to something, you only pretend that you are committed to something but in fact, you are not.
For example, the Directors said they supported the appraisal scheme but in fact, only paid lip service to it. (A common reality!)
But how do we get this phrase? One answer is in church. If you don't know the words to a hymn, you just move your mouth and pretend that you are singing.
One of the best examples of paying lip service you will ever see follows!
Here's a strange one!
When you pay lip service to something, you only pretend that you are committed to something but in fact, you are not.
For example, the Directors said they supported the appraisal scheme but in fact, only paid lip service to it. (A common reality!)
But how do we get this phrase? One answer is in church. If you don't know the words to a hymn, you just move your mouth and pretend that you are singing.
One of the best examples of paying lip service you will ever see follows!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Tear jerker
(This is dedicated to all my buddies at Lege Artis BDM)
The film was so romantic; it was a real tear jerker
Idiom: something that makes you cry with emotion; usually a film or book
Jerk: verb/noun - a sudden movement
as a noun to describe a person - an idiot!
Careful you don’t confuse them!
And for a tear jerking film, you'd struggle to find something better than Titanic!
The film was so romantic; it was a real tear jerker
Idiom: something that makes you cry with emotion; usually a film or book
Jerk: verb/noun - a sudden movement
as a noun to describe a person - an idiot!
Careful you don’t confuse them!
And for a tear jerking film, you'd struggle to find something better than Titanic!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Blind date
(This one has to be dedicated to Nico)
They met on a blind date
A date where you have not previously met; you go into the situation ‘blind’
It could be arranged by a dating agency or a friend, particularly if he wants to make up a foursome or double date
It was also the name of a long running, very popular TV series. Pretty awful really - watch if you dare!
They met on a blind date
A date where you have not previously met; you go into the situation ‘blind’
It could be arranged by a dating agency or a friend, particularly if he wants to make up a foursome or double date
It was also the name of a long running, very popular TV series. Pretty awful really - watch if you dare!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Drop dead gorgeous
Dedicated to my wife of course! (don't forget to mail in for your dedication!)
‘Wow! Have you seen that girl? She’s drop dead gorgeous!’
Idiomatic phrase: meaning - she is so beautiful you could drop dead from shock
Let’s hope not!
And here's a song with the line in.
‘Wow! Have you seen that girl? She’s drop dead gorgeous!’
Idiomatic phrase: meaning - she is so beautiful you could drop dead from shock
Let’s hope not!
And here's a song with the line in.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
To fly of the handle!
Today’s lesson is for Judwiga
When I told him that I had crashed the car, he flew of the handle!
Idiom: To react with a very bad temper
Noun: Handle - the part you open a door with
Irregular verb: Fly, flew, flown
Choose your own idiom to be featured and get a free dedication!
Here's someone who is always flying off the handle; the very bad tempered Victor Meldrew from the popular British comedy, One foot in the grave. The things that go wrong could only happen to Victor!
When I told him that I had crashed the car, he flew of the handle!
Idiom: To react with a very bad temper
Noun: Handle - the part you open a door with
Irregular verb: Fly, flew, flown
Choose your own idiom to be featured and get a free dedication!
Here's someone who is always flying off the handle; the very bad tempered Victor Meldrew from the popular British comedy, One foot in the grave. The things that go wrong could only happen to Victor!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Keep in shape
Today’s lesson is for Sylwia!
She’s joined a fitness club to keep in shape.
Phrasal verb: To keep in - to remain or maintain
Noun: Shape - in this sense, physical condition and structure
Over Christmas, there’s a risk you might just get out of shape!
(Keep in shape with this great Michael Jackson video)
Choose your own phrasal verb or idiom to be featured and get a free dedication.
She’s joined a fitness club to keep in shape.
Phrasal verb: To keep in - to remain or maintain
Noun: Shape - in this sense, physical condition and structure
Over Christmas, there’s a risk you might just get out of shape!
(Keep in shape with this great Michael Jackson video)
Choose your own phrasal verb or idiom to be featured and get a free dedication.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
enough room to swing a cat
Enough room to swing a cat - (today’s lesson is for Adam!)
This apartment is so small; there isn’t enough room to swing a cat!
Idiom: Meaning a very small space.
Don’t worry; the British don’t really swing cats!
Choose your own idiom to be featured and get a free dedication
And just to show we really do love cats, here are some lovely kittens - ahh, how sweet!
This apartment is so small; there isn’t enough room to swing a cat!
Idiom: Meaning a very small space.
Don’t worry; the British don’t really swing cats!
Choose your own idiom to be featured and get a free dedication
And just to show we really do love cats, here are some lovely kittens - ahh, how sweet!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Itchy feet
If you’ve got itchy feet, it doesn’t mean you’ve got a skin disease or a bite but a strong desire to keep on the move. You can’t stay in one place for two long and you like to travel. This person is looking for change and adventure and is generally restless in nature.
Don’t confuse this condition with Ants in your pants!
Don’t confuse this condition with Ants in your pants!
Goody two shoes
Goody two shoes is a friend of teacher’s pet. He is never late, always does his homework and never breaks the rules. He’s a real goody two shoes!
Clever clogs
A clever clogs is someone who always has an answer. This could be in a classroom situation but more often, it is a negative description of someone who always has a smart remark to make - so they are quite irritating.
A clog is a shoe made of wood that was popularly worn by workers in the northern English mill towns in the 19th century. It is also a shoe synonymous with Holland, but quite why clogs and clever go together, I can’t say. Maybe I’m not clever enough.
A clog is a shoe made of wood that was popularly worn by workers in the northern English mill towns in the 19th century. It is also a shoe synonymous with Holland, but quite why clogs and clever go together, I can’t say. Maybe I’m not clever enough.
Teacher's pet
Are you your teacher’s pet? Obviously, a pet is an animal, tame and loved. Some who is teacher’s pet is the teacher’s favourite, particularly when other children are not in favour with the teacher. Maybe you always say, "Please Sir, I know the answer to that." Maybe you are just a clever clogs or goody two shoes!
Two left feet
This is a little unkind to people who are left-footed or left handed because it describes someone with poor co-ordination, particularly in dancing.
Celebrity dance shows with two left-footed dancers have become very popular over the past few years.
What do you think?
Celebrity dance shows with two left-footed dancers have become very popular over the past few years.
What do you think?
Made of money
To be made of money means that you have an unlimited amount of money. However, it is usually used sarcastically, when somebody expects you to spend a lot of money and you don’t think it’s realistic.
It’s often used in one of the following forms.
"I’m not made of money!"
"What do you think I am; made of money?"
It’s often used in one of the following forms.
"I’m not made of money!"
"What do you think I am; made of money?"
Sunday, June 7, 2009
To open up a can of worms
To open up a can of worms is a rather strange idiom used to describe a situation where you have created a problem through statement or action.
E.g. "I wish I’d kept quiet at the meeting; now I’ve opened up a right can of worms!"
It’s usually a situation that leads to more problems by exposing some difficult issues that people were avoiding. I guess the worms come out of the can and crawl all over the place bothering people.
Well, it’s pretty odd because I’ve never seen a can of worms in a supermarket. Although, I believe worms make a very nice omelette filling. Enjoy your meal!
Better still, worms are now used as part of a bio-recycling process so that's one can-o-worms that won't get you into bother.
E.g. "I wish I’d kept quiet at the meeting; now I’ve opened up a right can of worms!"
It’s usually a situation that leads to more problems by exposing some difficult issues that people were avoiding. I guess the worms come out of the can and crawl all over the place bothering people.
Well, it’s pretty odd because I’ve never seen a can of worms in a supermarket. Although, I believe worms make a very nice omelette filling. Enjoy your meal!
Better still, worms are now used as part of a bio-recycling process so that's one can-o-worms that won't get you into bother.
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